In 2015 the Minister for Planning appointed an independent Planning Panel to review Council’s Planning Scheme Amendment C87 regarding the long term growth options for Traralgon and environs, including AGL Loy Yang’s submission about the perceived geotechnical subsidence issues near the south eastern part of the Traralgon township and the AGL Loy Yang coal mine. In 2015 the C87 Planning Panel subsequently recommended to change the Latrobe Planning Scheme to include an interim strategy that may result in an increased width of the existing urban coal buffer. This recommendation would result in an increase of the buffer from 1km to 2km from the boundary of the coal mine, affecting east and south of the Traralgon Township.
Latrobe City Council sought independent advice from Golder Associates consultants to undertake a peer review of the AGL Loy Yang evidence presented to the C87 Planning Panel and to undertake a risk assessment in the context of the Panel’s recommendation.
The Golder’s reports found that the existing urban coal buffer distance of 1km from AGL Loy Yang’s mine crest to be satisfactory and do not generally pose an unacceptable level of risk to the Traralgon township area.
At its Council Meeting in May 2016, Council resolved that it would not support the Panel’s recommendation of an interim strategy to increase the urban coal buffer distance from 1km to 2km.
Latrobe City Council has provided the Golder’s reports to the State Government and to AGL Loy Yang. Latrobe City Council welcomes an update on any further risk assessment work that may be undertaken by AGL Loy Yang and the State government and looks forward to continuing the dialogue with key stakeholders to ensure the long term urban growth opportunities of the municipality.
For more information phone the strategic planning officer on 5128 5445.